The Philadelphia Phillies could be positioning themselves for a surprising splash in free agency, this time on the pitching side. Up to this point in the offseason, the Phillies have concentrated primarily on offense, re-signing key pieces Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto while also adding Adolis García to their lineup.
Philadelphia also explored signing elite hitters Alex Bregman and Bo Bichette, but both ultimately landed elsewhere. With most of the premier bats now off the market, attention may soon shift toward strengthening the pitching staff.
MLB insider Jon Morosi addressed the future of free-agent starter Framber Valdez during an appearance on MLB Network on January 19. Valdez is widely viewed as the top remaining pitcher available, though Morosi noted that the left-hander does not appear close to finalizing a deal.
That timeline has raised eyebrows, especially since many expected Valdez to sign shortly after Ranger Suárez departed Philadelphia on a five-year, $130 million contract with the Boston Red Sox. Morosi suggested that the Phillies, somewhat quietly, could emerge as a potential destination for Valdez.
“We haven’t heard much about the team Ranger Suárez left as a possible landing spot for Framber Valdez,” Morosi said. “But when you look at the Phillies’ pitching depth, there’s clearly room for a veteran addition. I wouldn’t rule out the Phillies just yet.”
Adding Valdez Could Elevate Phillies’ Rotation
Valdez has recently been linked to both the Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets, though neither club appears eager to offer a lengthy deal to a pitcher in his early 30s. Now 32, Valdez posted a 3.66 ERA in 2025, his highest mark since establishing himself as a full-time starter in Houston, which may be contributing to the hesitation.
That reluctance could open the door for Philadelphia. In 2025, the Phillies featured one of baseball’s strongest rotations, led by Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sánchez, Jesús Luzardo, and Suárez. The group paced MLB with 84 quality starts and led the league in total innings pitched per start. Suárez’s exit, however, leaves a notable gap in that unit.
Valdez has long been valued for his durability and ability to log innings, making him a natural fit as a replacement. In fact, Sánchez was the only Phillies starter to throw more innings than Valdez during the 2025 season.
Why Valdez Fits in Philadelphia
The Phillies have demonstrated a willingness to pivot quickly this winter. After missing on Bregman, they aggressively pursued Bichette, and when that effort fell short, they swiftly re-signed Realmuto. A similar shift toward pitching using previously allocated funds would not be surprising.
Valdez could also benefit from Philadelphia’s infield defense. As MLB.com’s Travis Sawchik recently noted, the left-hander’s heavy ground-ball tendencies play best behind a strong defensive infield. While Alec Bohm’s future remains uncertain, the middle-infield pairing of Trea Turner and Bryson Stott provides steady defense that could help maximize Valdez’s strengths.
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